How To Choose a Pest Control Company
Hiring the right company for you is the most important step in the pest control process. Some things you may consider include qualifications and licensing, treatment methods, years of experience, customer reviews, and cost.
Below, we explore the details of each of these factors.
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Does the company have a valid license and permits to perform pest control?
Per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticide applicators and their supervisors must be certified at the state level. The EPA sets minimum standards of competency, but all pesticide applicators in North Carolina need to be licensed through the proper state regulatory agencies.
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Is the company a member of any professional organizations?
A pest control company can optionally apply for additional certifications from QualityPro or similar trade organizations in order to back up its methods and standards. One particular certification is the GreenPro Service Certification, which is awarded to any company that can demonstrate that its methods are more environmentally friendly. These companies also need to maintain certain employee training standards.
Pest control companies can also belong to certain professional organizations. Becoming a member of an organization such as the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) or a state-level organization gives companies access to education and resources, as well as a network of professionals with whom to compare best practices. Membership in one of these organizations is not required, but it can help indicate that a company follows industry best practices.
Professional Experience and Specialties
Browsing a company's website can tell you how many years it has been in business and what species of pests it specializes in exterminating. Online reviews can also provide some insight into a company's experience dealing with a specific pest. If this information isn't available online, you can try reaching out to the company directly.
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Reviews and Recommendations
You can look for reviews and recommendations on local review sites or social media, look up a company's rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or check its licensure status through the North Carolina licensing board.
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Cost of Services and Guarantees
Cost is an important consideration when choosing a pest control company. Cost may be determined by the size of your house, the type of pest being treated, your location, and other factors.
Certain pest control companies offer a free on-site estimate to help you match services to your budget. You can also look at whether it offers a guarantee of satisfaction.
Safety and Treatment Methods
When choosing a pest control provider, you want to select one that will help keep you, your family, and your pets safe. You might also prefer a provider that is environmentally-conscious.
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Safety
Your pest control technician should be able to discuss the safety of any and all pesticides that they're going to use. They should be able to answer questions as to whether the pesticides are low toxicity or non-toxic; if they are not, they should explain what safety precautions they will put in place to protect you, your family, and your pets. Any pesticides that pose greater than a minimum risk should be registered with the EPA.
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Treatment Methods
Companies often start with more environmentally friendly options before employing harsh pesticides, using a technique called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). When using IPM, the following steps are taken:
- Identify the source of the pest problem and determine whether immediate action is required.
- Determine the best and safest course of action.
- Use a combination of physical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls to manage the pest problem.
- Use chemical controls only when absolutely necessary, and always along with other techniques for effective long-term pest management.
- Observe the results and provide additional pest control as needed.
Common Household Pests in Winston Salem
In Winston Salem, certain pests are more common than others. This list of pests includes the following:
- Beetles: There are a wide variety of beetles across the U.S. and in North Carolina. Many species are harmless, but some can feed on and damage things like carpeting and the wooden structure of your home.
- Snakes: Snakes often enter houses in search of food, and once inside they tend to prefer cool, damp, and dark areas like basements. While the majority of snakes are harmless, most people don't want their family, their pets, or themselves to take that risk.
- Mice: If you have mice, you might start noticing droppings around your house, or things like chewed wires. If your home has mice, they may be found in attics or in places where food is stored.
- Bed bugs: Bed bugs may be found throughout North Carolina and can cause major problems if left untreated. Because infestations of bed bugs are often tricky to get rid of, we recommend hiring a professional exterminator as soon as you discover the problem. These pests can infest bedsheets, wallpaper, furniture, and more.
- Spiders: You may find spiders in your basement, attic, or other dark, damp areas. Most spiders are harmless and pose no threat to humans, but you still don't want an infestation of them in your house.
Winston Salem Pest Control FAQ
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Pest infestations occur when pests enter your home looking for something, generally food, water, or shelter. Pests may come looking for food or trash that is sitting out. Some could also be drawn to standing water outside (from rain collecting in a particular area) or inside (from leaky pipes). They may also enter your home looking for shelter and get in through places such as foundation cracks or broken screens.
There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent pest infestations. First, don't leave food out. Keep your food stored in sealed containers, and don't leave trash sitting around.
Second, avoid having standing water in or around your house. Fix leaks inside and eliminate places where standing water collects outdoors. Lastly, seal off possible pest entrances into your house, including siding or foundation cracks.
Generally it's recommended that you hire a pest control technician about once annually. If there is an active infestation, you will need to hire a pest control professional more frequently. Ultimately, your pest professional is the person best-equipped to recommend a treatment schedule for you.
Preventive pest control is important because it can help stop pest problems before they begin. Your local pest control technician will be familiar with the pests in your part of Winston Salem, including how they make their way into your home and the times of the year during which they are most active.Your technician can make changes and put barriers in place to keep pests out of your home, helping you save time and money that might otherwise go towards future pest control visits--or towards the damage and illness caused by pests.
